Geelong’s Tanner Bruhn is about for his first AFL sport in 17 months after struggling the “egregious” injustice of being accused of rape, his coach says.
Bruhn will play for the Cats of their season-opener towards Gold Coast on Friday evening after lacking final season whereas dealing with prison costs.
Bruhn was stood down by the AFL when charged with rape and intentional sexual touching. These costs have been dropped final November when a key witness admitted to mendacity.
Prosecutors drop sexual assault, rape costs towards Tanner Bruhn
Geelong coach Chris Scott says Bruhn will play towards the Suns, his first AFL sport for the reason that 2024 preliminary remaining.
“It is simply incredible for him to get on the market and be capable of focus on footy after what is without doubt one of the most egregious injustices I can consider within the sport,” Scott advised reporters right this moment.
“So to place that behind him, I believe, is optimistic for everybody.”
Scott was reluctant to element the assist he provided to the 23-year-old, who has performed 66 AFL video games since his debut in 2021 at Higher Western Sydney. He transferred to Geelong on the finish of the 2022 season.
“I’ve mentioned greater than I wished to anyway, it is largely a non-public matter and I do not wish to draw any extra consideration to it than he would really like,” he mentioned.
“I might assist him in all of the methods that you’d think about, however I do not wish to stroll you thru it.”
Scott trialled Bruhn at half-back as a substitute of his customary midfield place in the course of the pre-season.
“It is his first sport [back], however he is actually been coaching and he performed a observe sport towards Carlton. He is type of able to go,” he mentioned.
“So I believe we’ll all look again and suppose this was a small step. It is vital that we do not overplay it.”
Scott confirmed aces Jeremy Cameron and Bailey Smith would function within the away sport towards the Suns after battling thigh and calf illnesses respectively in the course of the pre-season.
Jeremy Cameron is about to function for Geelong regardless of an interrupted pre-season. (AAP: James Ross )
Ahead/ruck Shannon Neale would additionally entrance after copping a knock to a shin within the final pre-season trial, however ahead Gryan Miers (thumb) remained unsure.
“We do not have a really excessive tolerance for pushing guys that are not prepared,” Scott mentioned.
“We’re a lot much less tolerant of that stuff now … he (Miers) had surgical procedure on a thumb. He has bought the all-clear to play, however simply because he can play does not imply he ought to.
“Gryan, it is a type of conditions the place 15 years in the past he can be a certainty … as a result of it was a badge of honour taking part in with these items.”
Editor’s notice: An earlier model of this story mentioned the complainant within the case had admitted to mendacity, as a substitute of a key witness. This has been corrected.
AAP
